Sri Lanka collapsed in a heap, losing their last nine wickets for 30 before Babar and Ayub’s steady 30s took Pakistan over the line

Andrew Fidel Fernando29-Nov-2025Pakistan thundered to victory in the final of the tri-series, their attack blazing through the last nine Sri Lanka wickets for 30 runs, before their batters carried them without major drama to a target of 115. The victory came in the 19th over.Earlier, it had been three-wicket hauls for Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz, and two wickets for Abrar Ahmed, that had seen Pakistan produce the definitive passage of the game – the second half of Sri Lanka’s innings.Sri Lanka had been 84 for 1 in the 11th over when Nawaz had Kusal Mendis caught athletically by Babar Azam, on the boundary. They would nosedive spectacularly from there, losing wickets to spin mainly, but pace too, until they were all out for 114 in 19.1 overs.The chase was low-tempo, but mostly smooth. Openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub put on 46 together. Babar then produced a steady 37 not out to guide the team home in plenty of time. They never hit a high gear. But they didn’t need to.Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up 3 for 18 as Sri Lanka collapsed in a heap•Associated Press

Sri Lanka’s epic plunge

How do you go from a 64-run second-wicket partnership to 114 all out? Let Sri Lanka show you how.The spinners drove the collapse. After Nawaz dismissed Mendis, Abrar and Ayub ran riot, Abrar having Kusal Perera and Pavan Rathnayake caught attempting big shots within three balls of each other. Ayub had Sri Lanka’s top-scorer Kamil Mishara caught, before Nawaz came back to rattle the stumps of Janith Liyanage and Wanindu Hasaranga.To give you an idea of how quickly wickets were falling, Sri Lanka had seven consecutive partnerships worth six runs or fewer.

Babar keeps coming back

A score of 37 not out off 34 isn’t exactly stellar T20I material, but in the context of having to guide the team to a low target, Babar’s innings was sensibly-paced. It may not deter his critics exactly, but it might hold them off.In a stretch in which Babar has been suggesting that the best version of himself might be back, it was also significant that he had such a good outing in the field in this match. The catch to dismiss Mendis was a nicely-judged overhead take, balancing to keep himself inside the boundary. The catch to dismiss Mishara was taken on the run, coming in from the straight boundary, diving forward. To get Rathnayake, he leapt up inside the circle to hold the catch with outstretched fingers.Kamil Mishara struck a quick half-century to keep Sri Lanka going•Getty Images

Mishara sets a foundation

Although Sri Lanka would fail spectacularly to build on it, their young opener Mishara had set a launching pad with his 59 off 47 balls. He had a powerful aerial game inside the powerplay, his three sixes in that phase coming in the arc between long off and deep midwicket. After the field went back, he settled into a rhythm of singles. With this being his second successive half-century, Sri Lanka are likely to persist with him.

Bruno Fernandes has been warned off a move to Barcelona that would see him link up with Lamine Yamal and Pedri. The Manchester United captain continues to see a transfer in 2026 speculated on, with leading teams in Europe and Saudi Arabia said to be monitoring his situation. Pedro Mendes has told his fellow Portuguese why a switch to Camp Nou would be the wrong choice.

Fernandes contract: When Man Utd deal expires

Fernandes remains a talismanic presence at Old Trafford, with three more goal contributions being delivered during a 4-1 victory at Wolves. He is, however, 31 years of age and will see his current contract expire in 2027 – with United holding the option for a further 12-month extension.

It has been suggested that the right offer could lure him away from Manchester after next summer’s World Cup – when he will be chasing down global glory alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. Fernandes has not entirely ruled out a fresh start being sought.

Saudi Pro League sides are considered to be leading the chase, given the riches on offer in the Middle East, but a new challenge in European football may yet be found. Barcelona, who once prised Ilkay Gundogan away from Manchester City after seeing him pass the age of 30, are said to be one of Fernandes’ many suitors.

AdvertisementGettyBarcelona transfer: Fernandes warned off move to Camp Nou

Mendes – speaking with Boyle Sports, who offer the latest Football Betting – has said when asked if Fernandes should leave United and where his next landing spot could be: “I don't know, it's up to him, but I think Bruno at the moment is the key figure for Manchester United, right? So what else can you want? As a player at a team like United, if you are the main guy, why would you change just for a new challenge or a new chapter in your career? Fair enough, that's understandable.

“But, he won't have at Barcelona what he has at United at the moment. In Barcelona he can be a top player, for sure, 100%. But in Barcelona they have Pedri, they have players like Raphinha and Lamine Yamal. Bruno won't be the top name at Barcelona. And at United, I think Bruno is that guy. He might be up for a new challenge, but what more can you ask for if you are the main guy at United.

“Bruno Fernandes needs the Premier League trophy to be among the greatest ever. Bruno Fernandes has been unbelievable for the past three or four seasons. But you just need the Premier League trophy, that will put him among the greatest ever in the league.”

Man Utd arrivals: Palhinha billed as a good fit

With questions being asked of Fernandes’ future, and Casemiro seemingly ready to leave Old Trafford in 2026, Mendes – who represented Portsmouth and Tottenham in his playing days – added on who United could look to draft into their midfield engine room: “Joao Palhinha is the typical Premier League number six, that defensive midfielder who just sweeps up everything in front of the defenders. If you have a team that has a lot of possession, he's a little bit out of his game, from my point of view.

“The players around him will shine more than him because, as you said, he just wins the ball, passes it away, tackles the ball, passes it. He's fantastic at doing that role. He was fantastic at Fulham.

“In Bayern Munich, when you have 70% or 60% of ball possession most of the games, and you don't need to do that kind of job, because normally teams play counter-attack or don't have that type of possession against you, his strength is a little bit forgotten.

“He has more of the ball and he needs to be more involved in the game, and to be fair, it's not his main strength. So probably that's why he struggled at Bayern and at Spurs at the moment. I like what I saw in some games this year from him, but it's different from Fulham.

“Palhinha at Man Utd? Well, why not? But to be fair, I think Manuel Ugarte is more or less the same type of player as Palhinha. Palhinha is an option if they want to replace him. But why not? We are not sure what is going to happen to Casemiro, so I think it could work.”

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Getty Images SportTrading places: Could Palhinha arrive as Fernandes leaves?

Palhinha is currently taking in a season-long loan at Tottenham from Bundesliga champions Bayern. A permanent move somewhere may be made next summer, with it possible that he could cross paths with Fernandes as a Portugal international colleague bids farewell to English football.

He made his first ton since returning to the national side, as they breezed to the target after Burger’s four-for set them up

Firdose Moonda06-Nov-2025

Quinton de Kock brought up his 22nd ODI ton•Getty Images

Quinton de Kock scored the first hundred since his international comeback, and 22nd overall, as South Africa drew level in the ODI series against Pakistan. Tony de Zorzi and de Kock shared a 153-run second-wicket stand, which followed de Kock and Lhuan-dre Pretorius’ 81-run opening partnership. They only lost two wickets, as de Kock completed the chase of 270 with 59 balls to spare, in Matthew Breetzke’s company.South Africa batted with fluency and flair, both of which were absent from the Pakistan line-up after they chose to bat first. Though half-centuries from Saim Ayub and Salman Agha set Pakistan up well, their strike rates of 80.30 and 65.09 meant the going was slow throughout their innings. Mohammad Nawaz’s career-best run-a-ball 59 eventually took them over 250 – to 269.Nawaz’s individual achievement was one of three in the first half of the match. South Africa’s left-arm seamer Nandre Burger and legspinner Nqabayomzi Peter, who both sat out the first game, bagged career-best figures of 4 for 46 and 3 for 55 respectively. They were well supported by disciplined efforts from Corbin Bosch, Donovan Ferreira and Bjorn Fortuin, who all conceded at under six runs an over.While Pakistan made batting look tough, South Africa found the flow with their left-handed opening pair of Pretorius and de Kock. Pretorius enjoyed the bulk of the strike in the first four overs and hit three fours off Naseem Shah in the second, before de Kock hit his first shot of intent. He punched a short, wide Afridi ball through the covers for four. Pretorius should have been out in the next over, but Naseen spilled a return chance and Pretorius made Pakistan pay.Tony de Zorzi ensured South Africa’s smooth passage in the chase•Getty Images

Pretorious went after Shaheen Shah Afridi, and then Mohammed Wasim, and appeared unstoppable before he flayed at a wide Wasim delivery and nicked off. De Kock was on 32 off 31 balls himself when he lost his opening partner, and rebuilt quietly with de Zorzi.The pair scored 35 runs off the next seven overs and de Kock got his fifty with a six off Ashraf, before de Zorzi was finally ready to take on Afridi. He sent a short ball through midwicket and a full one through deep backward square, but his full range on the legside was on display when he took on Mohammad Nawaz. He reverse-swept, slogged over mid-wicket and then reached for a wide one to send it over long-off. In total, de Zorzi took 27 runs off 13 balls he faced from Nawaz, and also reached fifty off him.De Kock helped himself to runs off Afridi, then entered the 80s with a six over cover off Agha. He was on 98 when Afridi reviewed an lbw shout off Wasim. However, the delivery pitched outside leg and de Kock reached his century two balls later. The ball after that, Afridi reviewed again; once more, it had pitched outside leg.Pakistan used eight bowling options as they tried to break through, and Faheem eventually did. De Zorzi was caught off a leading edge by Ayub at point. De Kock – who finished unbeaten on 123* – and stand-in captain Matthew Breetzke ensured it was too late for Pakistan to defend their score, which could have been much less after they were reduced to 22 for 3 in the fifth over.Nandre Burger’s four tied down Pakistan’s batters•AFP via Getty Images

Earlier in the day, Burger struck with this third ball when Fakhar Zaman gloved an attempted pull to de Kock. Bosch had Babar Azam given out lbw off with his second delivery, but Babar reviewed. Ball-tracking showed the ball was bouncing over the stumps. All the same, South Africa did not have to wait too long to dismiss Pakistan’s talisman. In this third over, Burger squared up Babar, and he edged to Ferreira at first slip. Four balls later, Mohammed Rizwan fetched a Burger ball from fifth stump and chopped it onto his leg stump. At the other end, Bosch’s opening spell read: 4-0-8-0.The change bowlers Fortuin and Ferreira kept things quiet and limited the boundaries. By the 20th over, Pakistan had collectively hit just six fours before Ayub scored the innings’ first six, off Fortuin. Ayub also got to his second ODI 50 off Fortuin.Breetzke then made an inspired bowling change, which ended Ayub’s innings: he brought Bosch back as the halfway stage approached halfway stage, Ayub drove the ball back at Bosch with some force, and Bosch took a good low catch in his follow-through to pick up his first.At the time, Agha was on 34 off 62 balls, and showed no signs of speeding up. So, it fell to his partners to up the ante. Hussain Talat attempted to flick Peter over the legside, but the ball only found a leading edge, giving Peter a return catch and leaving Pakistan at 131 for 5 after 30 overs.Mohammad Nawaz added plenty of runs at the death•Getty Images

Agha made his way to fifty off 83 balls, and then began showing signs of urgency. He also slog-swept Fortuin for four, but it was Mohammad Nawaz who danced down the track to hit the left-arm spinner for six, and then repeated the feat against Bosch. Agha tried to join in, but Bosch had the final say when he bowled him with an inswinging yorker.Faheem Ashraf took 12 of the 13 runs off Bosch’s penultimate over, but was caught at deep mid-wicket when he tried to slog a Burger slower-ball bouncer. Peter got another return catch when Afridi top-edged him while trying to go big.After that, it was all Nawaz. He reached his fifty with six off the first ball of the final over, hit another 10 runs, and then gave Peter his third caught and bowled. This final dismissal was the best of the lot, as he had to judge a high chance. Though Naseem finished the innings with a six, Pakistan did not have nearly enough.Saturday’s third ODI, also in Faisalabad, will decide the series and end South Africa’s all-format tour of Pakistan.

Rangers are now facing the prospect of losing one of their young talents to the Premier League for nothing in a frustrating blow for Danny Rohl.

Rohl pinpoints "old habits" affecting Rangers

It was like a throwback to the start of the season against Falkirk. Rangers were toothless as they were held to a 0-0 draw in the first time that Rohl has stuttered in the Scottish Premiership. The German, frustrated by the draw, claimed that the Gers fell into “old habits” and lacked “conviction”.

The Rangers manager now has the task of getting back to winning ways as early as Wednesday when his side square off against Dundee United. Another game without three points would only raise concerns that Rangers are slipping back into poor form just when fixtures are coming thick and fast.

With the January transfer window now just a month away from opening too, any sign of poor form would also raise serious questions for Rohl about the quality of his squad.

Following the exit of sporting director Kevin Thelwell, the former Sheffield Wednesday boss is likely to have a larger say on who comes in and who heads for the exit door in January.

What he won’t have a say in, however, is the future of Bailey Rice. The 19-year-old midfielder has reportedly rejected Rangers’ latest contract offer and looks destined to leave the club.

Premier League clubs chasing bargain Rice deal

According to the Daily Mail’s Simon Jones, Premier League clubs are now racing to sign Rice on a free deal when his current contract expires in the summer.

The midfielder is the youngest-ever player to play for the club in the Scottish Premiership, but looks almost certain to leave in 2026 after rejecting new terms.

Whilst Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion tracked the 19-year-old in the past, it is Sunderland and Aston Villa who are after his signature these days – handing Rice a big decision to make.

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For Rangers, meanwhile, it’s another blow and another likely departure from an academy star. There was a time when Rice looked to be the future of their midfield. Now, he’s set to depart before he even reaches the peak of his powers and with zero financial gain for the club.

Former interim boss Barry Ferguson was full of praise for Rice last season, telling reporters that he believes that the midfielder is a “fantastic talent”. Like everyone else watching on in Scotland, however, Ferguson may be forced to see the youngster thrive away from Rangers and in the Premier League.

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Nagraj Gollapudi09-Nov-202511:36

Sanju Samson – RavindraJadeja trade: shocking, or not?

In one of the most high-profile player trades in IPL history, Rajasthan Royals are set to trade wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in exchange of allrounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran.It is understood that both franchises have spoken to all three players involved but neither franchise confirmed the development when ESPNcricinfo reached out to them.Both RR and CSK have to send an expression of interest naming the three players involved in the trade to the IPL governing council. As per the trading rules, once the players’ written consent comes in, the franchises can have further discussions for a final agreement, which will also be ratified by the governing council.Samson and Jadeja have been with their respective franchises for a long time. Samson has represented RR for 11 seasons, while Jadeja has played for CSK since 2012, barring the two seasons in 2016 and 2017 when the franchises were suspended. Samson had indicated after IPL 2025 that he was looking for a change and wanted to be released by RR.Related

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Jadeja was retained by CSK ahead of the 2025 mega auction for INR 18 crore as the second player after captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Along with MS Dhoni, Jadeja has been a constant part of their core. He has been part of three of CSK’s five title wins.Jadeja played a crucial role in CSK’s win in the 2023 final, with his batting heroics in the last over against Gujarat Titans. It was also his best season with the ball as he finished with 20 wickets. He followed the feat with the bat in 2025, scoring 301 runs in the season, including two fifties.Jadeja has played 254 IPL matches, the fifth-most in the tournament behind Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Karthik. With 143 wickets, he is the highest wicket-taker for CSK with best bowling figures of 5 for 16. He has the most Player-of-the-Match awards (16) along with Dhoni too. In 2022, Jadeja was appointed CSK captain, but handed the captaincy back to Dhoni midway after a poor start to the season.Sam Curran was bought back by CSK in 2025•BCCIRR was the first team Jadeja represented in the IPL as a 19-year-old, and also the first team he won the title with in 2008. Jadeja played for RR for the first two seasons but was suspended in 2010 by the IPL for trying to negotiate a contract with Mumbai Indians directly. After the ban, Jadeja featured for Kochi Tuskers in 2011 before being bought by CSK for USD 2 million in 2012.After an impressive maiden IPL in 2013, when RR finished third as well as runner-up in the Champions League T20, Samson was the youngest player retained at 19 ahead of the 2014 season. That first stint lasted until RR’s two-year suspension in 2016-17 and Samson rejoined the franchise in 2018. He was appointed captain in 2021 and, in 2022, working with Kumar Sangakkara, RR’s team director, led the franchise to the IPL final for the first time since 2008.Samson has led RR in 33 wins and 33 defeats in 67 matches. In 2024, when RR made the playoffs again, he had a 500-run IPL season for the first time, scoring 531 at an average of 48.27 and strike rate of 153.47. He was one of six players retained by RR ahead of last year’s mega auction at INR 18 crore and he also remained captain. However, a side injury ruled him out of the second half of IPL 2025, and RR kept losing matches from strong positions to finish ninth out of ten teams.Samson is RR’s leading run-scorer with 4027 runs, has the joint-most 50-plus scores (25), the joint-highest score (124), and has taken the most catches (149). After he informed RR that he wanted to be released, the franchise initiated trade talks with several teams.Curran began his IPL career at Punjab Kings in 2019 and played for them again in 2023 – when he became the league’s most expensive player at INR 18.5 crore – and 2024. In between, he played for CSK in 2020 and 2021. Curran was bought back by CSK for INR 2.4 crore in the 2025 season, when he finished with 114 runs and only one wicket in five games.

Liverpool have reportedly opened talks this week to sign a key reinforcement who Arne Slot loves ahead of Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2026.

Slot urges Liverpool to "remain humble"

Sunday’s 2-0 victory against West Ham United simply cannot be a false dawn for Liverpool or record signing Alexander Isak. After a disastrous run of form, the Reds must make it back-to-back victories by defeating Sunderland this evening.

Anything but three points would only spark further concerns about Slot’s tenure, as reports continue to suggest potential managerial candidates such as Ange Postecoglou.

Ahead of Liverpool’s clash against the Black Cats, Slot told reporters: “The challenge now will be to build on this win. We do not get to believe that a corner has been turned or that a recovery is under way.

“We have to remain humble, work hard and continue to fight. If we do this then maybe we can continue taking the small steps forward that are very much required.

“I would like to welcome Regis Le Bris, his players and staff as well as the supporters and directors of Sunderland to Anfield for tonight’s game. What they have done in the Premier League already this season reflects incredibly well on all at the club having earned promotion back in May.”

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It’s been the type of run that sparks serious questions about the January transfer window and the need for reinforcements – particularly on the defensive front. As things stand, Liverpool have just two senior centre-backs available, but have been linked with moves for the likes of Castello Lukeba and, of course, Marc Guehi.

Liverpool open talks to sign Marc Guehi

According to TeamTalk, Liverpool have now opened talks to sign Guehi this week in an attempt to get their deal back on track and land their No.1 defensive target ahead of Real Madrid.

The Reds came within hours of signing the Crystal Palace star in the summer, only for the Eagles to pull the plug on the deal at the death. Now, they’re attempting to jump ahead of the chasing pack by making their move as early as the January transfer window.

Those at Anfield are reportedly willing to offer a deal worth around £30m next month, whilst others wait in line to secure Guehi’s signature as a free agent in the summer.

Not even Slot could hide Liverpool’s admiration for Guehi when they missed out on his signature in the summer, telling reporters: “It would be ridiculous if I were to deny we were close to signing him.

“That is so out in the open. These things happen in football. We would have liked to have signed him, of course. If we feel we can strengthen the team, we never hesitate to do so.”

Whether Crystal Palace willingly part with their defender, who was described as a “monster in defence” by Palace reporter Bobby Manzi, remains to be seen, however.

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A manager has now been told to get “ready” by Premier League pundit Rio Ferdinand as Arne Slot remains under pressure to turn things around at Liverpool.

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Relief echoed around the away end when Cody Gakpo slammed home Liverpool’s second of the afternoon against West Ham United on Sunday. It came moments after Jarrod Bowen uncharacteristically struck wide and signalled a much-needed victory for Liverpool. But the pressure is still on.

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The Reds’ 2-0 victory at the London Stadium, which also featured a first Premier League goal for record signing Alexander Isak, cannot be a false dawn. Liverpool must kick on, even if they are set to still be without Conor Bradley and must monitor the fitness of others in their next game against Sunderland.

Bradley could at least make a return when Liverpool square off against Leeds United this weekend, however, after Slot told reporters: “Conor got into a team training session yesterday for the first time. Not everything 100% yet so we have to manage that so don’t get hopes up too soon.

“We expect the same with Jeremie (Frimpong) next week. Unfortunately we play a lot of games, so he’ll miss a few. Hopefully Conor is available for Leeds.”

It’s arguably the biggest month of Slot’s Liverpool tenure. He remains under pressure to turn things around and will watch on as his side play six games in 24 days.

Anything but a convincing month of results could spell the end of the former Feyenoord manager, opening the door for an unemployed manager who Ferdinand has told to get “ready”.

Ferdinand tells Gerrard to be "ready" for Liverpool job

Whilst in the Middle East attending the Formula 1 Qatar GP, Ferdinand told Steven Gerrard to get “ready” to take the Liverpool job on an interim basis amid the pressure on Slot.

It would certainly be a brave call from Liverpool and from Gerrard if he took the management role. He previously won the Scottish Premiership with Rangers, but has since been sacked by Aston Villa and Saudi Pro League side El-Ettifaq.

Take the emotions out of the scenario and the Liverpool legend is simply not the most qualified for the job.

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Since the start of last season, Tottenham Hotspur have only won six home games in the Premier League.

A big response was needed ahead of Saturday’s clash against Fulham, but the relegation-threatened Cottagers swept into a two-goal advantage after six minutes, and the damage was done.

Premier League 25/26 – xG Leaders

Club

League Position

xG

(1) Man City

2nd

24.2

(2) Chelsea

3rd

22.9

(3) Crystal Palace

9th

21.1

(4) Arsenal

1st

21.8

(5) Brentford

10th

21.1

(17) Tottenham

12th

11.9

Data via FBref

This, sadly, is no uncharted territory, with Ange Postecoglou’s incredible Europa League triumph unable to save him from the axe as the Lilywhites limped to a 17th-place finish in the Premier League.

Thomas Frank was snapped up, the former Brentford boss having done so well in west London.

But things have hardly gone swimmingly several months into the Danish tactician’s stewardship.

Spurs could consider summer target

Frank still believes he can turn things around at Tottenham, but he’s running out of time. The fans are fed up, and there is a widening chasm in regard to the connection between manager and supporter.

To dare is to do, but Spurs daren’t spread their wings and showcase their attacking quality, it seems. Frank might employ a grittier, more pragmatic defensive and build-up structure than his predecessor, but he will fall by the wayside without taking off the fetters.

And with Oliver Glasner likely still on ENIC Group’s radar after summer interest, a solution may be right there for the taking.

In June, Tottenham chiefs held talks with the trophy-winning Crystal Palace manager before opting instead to push ahead with Frank, though the Austrian said he was committed to the Eagles cause after his stunning FA Cup win.

However, rumours of Glasner’s departure from Selhurst Park have since persisted, and the fan view from south London is that the 51-year-old will leave the club by the end of the season.

Why Spurs should appoint Glasner

Glasner has worked wonders since replacing Roy Hodgson at Crystal Palace, claiming the FA Cup and Community Shield in 2025, but also fashioning this side into a genuine contender at the front end of the Premier League. They are currently competing in the Conference League.

Described as a “top-five manager in the world” by one Premier League content creator, Bayern Munich wanted Glasner’s signature before pushing ahead with Vincent Kompany, and competition is sure to be thick if he remains the Eagles boss next summer.

Typically employing a three-man backline, Glasner would find players in north London who have already established a measure of understanding in a similar system.

His aggressive duelling style and fluidity in set-up could actually play into Xavi Simons’ hands, the Netherlands midfielder having struggled since signing from RB Leipzig this summer.

Simons, 22, has lacked sharpness and physicality in the final third for the Lilywhites, but there’s no question that he is a top talent and that his numbers in the Bundesliga, both in regard to output and athleticism, suggest he has what it takes to cut the mustard.

And if you hark back to that xG-related table, you will observe that Palace sit third in the standings there. Frank will feel hard done by, James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski still recovering from injuries picked up last season, but there can be no excuse for the manner of Spurs’ performances. More should be given from the players on the pitch.

You need only look at Simons’ prolific campaigns in Germany to understand that this is a special player, varied in his attacking approach, creative, combative, crafty when on the ball.

Xavi Simons in the Bundesliga

Stats (* per game)

23/24

24/25

Matches (starts)

32 (32)

25 (25)

Goals

8

10

Assists

11

7

Shots (on target)*

2.5 (1.0)

2.0 (0.9)

Touches*

62.6

68.0

Pass completion

82%

83%

Big chances created

14

12

Key passes*

2.5

2.0

Dribbles*

2.6

1.3

Ball recoveries*

5.2

5.1

Tackles + interceptions*

1.4

1.6

Duels won*

6.3

5.4

Data via Sofascore

The young Dutchman is a “game-changer”, as said by talent scout Jacek Kulig, and he has the capacity to become a superstar in the Premier League.

Tottenham haven’t exactly provided him with arable land to root in his skills and grow into a leading man down N17. Frank proved at Brentford that he is a good manager, but maybe he just isn’t right for this Spurs project.

Glasner, however, would be a jackpot appointment, and his previous success in shaping Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise into elite creators on the biggest stage suggests that he would be the manager to revive Simons’ potential.

Under Glasner’s wing, Olise posted seven goal involvements from the eight games he was involved, injured for much of his early time at the helm. Eze scored 20 goals and assisted 14 more across 56 outings before completing a big-money move to Arsenal.

The security and balance of Glasner’s tactical set-up would free Simons’ playmaking quality up, and if Frank is dismissed, this would be the coach to go for.

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Stokes himself was culpable too, not only for England’s needlessly negative fields to Starc but for his obstinate refusal to change the pace of the game

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‘Neser has justified his selection ahead of Lyon’

Frankie’s Smokehouse on Stanley Street offers a pre-match barbecue before day-night Tests in Brisbane, and for three-and-a-half hours on Saturday, England’s bowlers were left to slow-cook on the Gabba grill. In 30-degree Celsius heat and 70% humidity, they were gradually charred and smoked in the second Test by Australia’s lower order and tail until ready to be served with a side of coleslaw.It was the ultimate demonstration of the hard-nosed pragmatism that has served Australia so well. Across 44.3 painstaking overs, their lower order and tail ground England down with a series of blocks, ducks and leaves that left their bowlers and fielders utterly deflated, and highlighted the stark contrast between the approaches of these two teams.Australia did not “run towards the danger”, as Brendon McCullum might have implored, but approached this third day in the knowledge that every over they spent at the crease increased the impending jeopardy that would arrive at nightfall. It was a familiar feeling for England in this country, their decision-making falling victim to long hours spent melting in the afternoon sun.Related

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• Trescothick insists England will 'stick to principles' as Ashes disaster looms

• Starc's all-round show leaves England facing humiliation at the Gabba

The telling moment came towards the end of a ninth-wicket stand between Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland that spanned 27.2 overs, the longest partnership of the series. Pat Cummins joined Fox’s commentary with a smile so broad that it could be heard without being seen: “Really intelligent batting,” he purred, as Starc staunchly blocked his 117th ball.Cummins – who also confirmed that he “should be right” for the third Test in Adelaide after injury – revealed that Australia’s lower-order batters have often discussed in meetings with management the target of facing 30 balls as a KPI [Key Performance Indicator]. “If our four bowlers can face 30 balls [each],” Cummins said, “we thought that was a big tick.”This was a huge one: their Nos. 8 to 11 managed to soak up 275 balls between them, with Starc (141) accounting for more than half of them. It was hardly edge-of-the-seat viewing, with Australia adding 133 for 4 to their overnight score at a shade under three runs per over, but Cummins, Steven Smith and Andrew McDonald could not have cared less as they watched England toil.It begged the question of how England’s lower order would have approached the same situation. In this series, they have swung from the hip with some success: their Nos. 8-11 have cumulatively scored at a strike rate of 95.03, with Gus Atkinson (37 off 32 in Perth) and Jofra Archer (38 off 36 in Brisbane) both contributing useful cameos.But only three lower-order batters have lasted 30 balls – Australia’s target – and none have reached 40, let alone Starc’s 141. England’s management hates team meetings, which Harry Brook memorably described as “the most over-rated things ever,” earlier this year; most of their players probably think KPI is the man who used to bat in their middle order.Mitchell Starc left Ben Stokes exasperated•CA/Cricket Australia/Getty ImagesEngland struck twice in the first hour on Saturday, Neser edging the old ball behind and Alex Carey the new one. But Starc’s partnership with Boland exposed their tactics as predictable: Ben Stokes abandoned any hope of getting Starc out, spreading the field and letting him leave on length, then watched Boland get in line and defend resolutely for at most two balls per over.Starc’s 77 was his third-highest Test score, and was a classic lower-order innings. He identified two main scoring areas – down the ground and through cover – and stuck to them resolutely, passing Stuart Broad to become the most prolific No. 9 in Test history in the process. It was measured, mature, and mightily effective: this is quickly becoming Starc’s Ashes.”The message was obviously to try to keep them out as long as possible because we knew the later we went into the night session with that harder ball was going to benefit us,” Neser said. “It actually went perfectly: the way Starcy went about it, scored runs and batted time, put us in a great position to bowl under the lights with that new pink ball.”It also meant more back-breaking work for England’s fast bowlers whose inexperience has been laid bare: among their four seamers, who shared 96 of the first 97 overs between them, Stokes is the only one to have played more than 20 Tests or even 60 first-class games.”Being a Gabba local, I know how hard it is bowling under the heat,” Neser said. “It seems just to radiate through the Gabba.” As England are quickly learning, charging in to bowl 87mph/140kph in the heat one day is one thing, but doing so two days in a row is another entirely.After arriving at the Gabba clutching a pillow, Jofra Archer spent the first session looking half-asleep, to his team-mates’ obvious frustration. Archer’s failure to turn Starc’s top-edge into a catching chance at mid-off was met by double-teapots all round, and Stokes berated him for a flat-footed effort at cover which allowed Boland to take a single off the first ball of an over.But Stokes himself was culpable too, not only for England’s needlessly negative fields to Starc but for his obstinate refusal to change the pace of the game by introducing his spinner. Will Jacks’ first ball after tea turned and bounced sharply, and he regularly threatened Boland and Brendan Doggett’s outside edge during an encouraging spell: why not try him sooner?Australia had the game-awareness to realise that time, not runs, had become the most important currency – though their eventual first-innings lead of 177 meant they had plenty of both. Batting time ensured that they would have a hard, new ball to use under lights, when most of the damage has been done: 14 of the 26 wickets in this Test have fallen in the final session.It was an obvious, simple gameplan, which Australia executed to perfection, totally at odds with England’s bullheaded conviction in their singular method. England arrived with the weight of history stacked against them in this series, and it is turning into the same old story.

Temba Bavuma will be back to lead South Africa’s ODI side as they seek to square the series in India but has not confirmed where he will bat while the team continues to tinker with top-order combinations.Bavuma missed the opening match with illness, where South Africa stuck to their new(ish) combination of Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton, with Quinton de Kock at No.3. With the series on the line, they may look to return to the more successful and experienced combination of de Kock and Bavuma at the top, especially given their record. While Markram and Rickelton have opened together in just seven innings, and scored 306 runs at 43.71, de Kock and Bavuma have been South Africa’s second-most prolific opening pair since 2016 with over 1,000 runs together from 19 innings at 56.42, and would appear the better choice.On the eve of match two, Bavuma was non-committal about where he stood in the line-up. “Where I fit in, generally being in that top three, I’m easy whichever way is best for the team, as long as I’m still contributing,” Bavuma said in Raipur, where he also had a long net session, confirming his return to health. “At the moment, it’s about creating depth. There is versatility in that guys who generally bat at the top of their order have used in the middle. In this team, a guy like Matthew Breetzke, who generally sees himself at the top in one-day cricket, but he’s doing that job more than well now at No.4 A guy like Tony (de Zorzi) – he’s getting that opportunity to bat at five.”Related

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In the absence of Heinrich Klaasen (retired), Tristan Stubbs (dropped) and David Miller (not in this ODI squad), South Africa have effectively created a top five out of five different opening batters with Dewald Brevis in at six. The only reserve batter is Rubin Hermann (also a top three batter for the bulk of his List A career) and Bavuma explained their reasoning for stacking the squad with top-order players.”Going back to South Africa, there’s always that element of batsmanship that you need. I know there’s a big craze about guys hitting sixes in the middle order, but you need a little bit of batsmanship. A guy like Tony, he has the characteristics.,” Bavuma said. “I guess now it’s just to keep putting on the performances to justify why he should do that.”De Zorzi has played 21 ODIs for South Africa, scored 688 runs and averages 36.21. He has a strike-rate below 100 and though he is strong against spin, is seen more as someone who can build an innings and rotate strike rather than a big-hitter. It’s that type of player South Africa think they will need, not only in the subcontinent but as they build their resources for the home ODI World Cup in 2027.The tournament is just less than two years away but South Africa will only play, according to the FTP, nine ODIs after this series, all at home. That could change especially as the FTP only runs to April 2027 and the World Cup will be held in October but the time to experiment is now, which is exactly what South Africa are doing.”Every game we play now is a big lead up opportunity. It’s about filling in the gaps with guys who have left,” Bavuma said. “Especially from a resource point of view, we want to make sure if we do have a situation where one of our main bowlers is out that we do have young guys to step in. We’re seeing guys like Nandre Burger, they are putting up their hands. So creating depth and then seeing where guys can be filling in those roles.”Bavuma feels Matthew Breetzke is pulling his weight and more at No.4•BCCI

With Kagiso Rabada out of the series. Burger led the attack in the first match with support from three other seamers: Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch and Marco Jansen. South Africa also have Lungi Ngidi, who is certain to play a role at some stage, in the squad, but for now, seem to be leaning more towards allrounders. Bosch and Jansen were both crucial in South Africa’s attempt to chase 350 in Ranchi and could keep their places as the series goes on. Jansen, in particular, has had a coming of age tour of India, and has made himself central to South Africa’s XI in all formats. Expect to see much more of him in this series.”I don’t know where the rankings sit but I’m sure Marco Jansen in any one of those formats will definitely be in the top 10. His contributions with the bat, with the ball, sometimes even both, have been immense to our success. Marco is still a young guy but he’s had a lot of international cricket that is under his belt and he’s only growing into his own and he’s becoming a lot more comfortable in his skin.”Currently, Jansen, who scored 93 and took seven wickets in the Guwahati Test, is sixth on the ICC’s Test allrounder rankings but 35th on the ODI list. His returns in Ranchi, where he scored a 39-ball 70 and took 2 for 76, could be the start of his climb up the charts.